Second
Birthday Song VerseSally contributes this counting verse
to the well known Happy Birthday Song.

Description: After singing Happy Birthday,
we add:

We'll clap for your years.
(twice)We'll clap and give cheers. (twice)We'll clap for your years.(Clap one time for each
year of the child's age as you count aloud.)One, two, three, four,
five, six, - yea, child's name!)

Comments: The children look forward to celebrating
their special day and learning the age of their peers.

Birthday Month SongHere's an easy circle time birthday song from
Joli B. You'll need to improvise a tune.

Counting:
"Graphing Birthdays"Promote early math skills of graphing and counting
as youngster learn the months of the year during this kindergarten and preschool
activity plan from Nicole.

Materials:
Chart paper & Stickers, stamps, candle cut outs, color or shape coded
months of the year - one for each child's birthday month, cut out of a
birthday cake or a work sheet with a birthday cake on it and birthday
candle cutouts.

Description: 1. Ask children if they know when
their birthday is and assist those that don't know. Give youngsters cards
with their birthday months on them. Then sing Apples,
Peaches, Pears and Plums at circle time.

2. Make a class graph of birthday months
and encourage children to read the graph and compare most, least birthdays.
Talk about how old they are now and how old they will be on their next
birthday.

3. Ask children to decorate the cake
cut-out or work sheet and put the appropriate number of candles on the
cake. You can have them number the candles or print the number of candles
on the cake.

Comments: The color/ shape coded month of
the year helps the younger children to participate when singing the song because
they don't know the month of their birthday or they forget. Teachers can
hold up their color or shape so they know when it is their turn.

Birthday
Party Favor: "Card Puzzles"Jenifer offers this manipulative that
can be used to promote youngsters awareness of spatial relationships.

Materials: A variety of cards, scissors, pencil
or marker.

Description: You can buy packs of cards at
the dollar tree for very little. Selecting the ones you want to use, draw a
puzzle pattern on the inside of the front cover. Tear or cut off the back, this
piece makes good backing for other projects so don't throw it away. Cut the puzzle
pieces out. The pieces can be many different shapes and sizes i.e.; strips, large
or small puzzle shapes, squares, etc.Put them in envelopes to keep and laminate
before cutting, if you want to.

Description: Ask the children to tell you
how old they are. Talk about birthdays, cakes and candles. Let them
tell stories about their birthdays. Then give the children clay and show
them how to roll the clay into balls and flatten them into cake shapes.
Next, give the children a variety of candles. Let them place the
candles on their cakes according to colors. Have them tell you
the colors of the candles in their cakes.

The children can now remove the candles from
their cakes and make another cake. Have each child choose one pre-cut numeral.
The children can then place, on their cake, the number of candles that
matches the numeral they have chosen. If thechildren are interested, let them make more
cakes to match numbers they have selected.

Literacy: Birthday BingoAmy B. suggests this early childhood
activity saying, "This activity will help students recognize sight words
such as the other students names and/or months of the year".

Materials: Teacher made bingo cards, place
markers, I use little erasers that are in the shape of balloons, cakes, and candles.

Description: Make sure that everyone is familiar
with their birthday before doing this activity. I use this activity for
our letter "Bb" week. First I review birthdays with the kids by showing them a flashcard with
a birthday printed on it. I read it to the class and the student whose birthday
was printed on the card raises their hand.

Then I pass out bingo cards that I have made
with all of the students names on them. I only have 14, so I am able to
put a freebie spot and use a few kids names twice. I then show the flashcard of the date and read
it to them. The student with the birthday raises their hand and the other
students try to find the birthday boy/girl name on their grid. Five
in a row gets a bingo and a Birthday Bingo Bear (gummy bear). All
of the kids get gummy bears after we play the game several times.

Birthdays
For Infants & PreschoolersThis birthday train by Nellie V. is
a handy teacher made reminder for both teachers and preschool children.
It also contributes to a print rich classroom as older youngsters recognize
their names and the names of their classmates.

Materials: Pattern of a train with an engine
and caboose, construction paper and white paper.

Description: Make the engine the teacher's
name and the caboose the assistantteacher's name. The cars in the middle
have months written on them, for example;1st car has January on it, the 2nd car has
February written on it and so on until you have all 12 months. Take
small pieces of white paper and write in black marker the infants / preschooler's name and birthday on
the paper and place it under the month of their birthday.

Craft: "Birthday & Holiday Candles"This gift idea from Laura F. enhances
children's self esteem, color recognition and fine motor skills (scooping).
Youngsters can make them for a "special friend's"birthday, a parent's birthday, a holiday gift
or as a gift for a "at home" sick classmate.

Description: In advance teachers cut wicks
to the height of the jars. Next children place wicks inside of their
jars. Children choose two to three different colors of waxed crystals
and scoop them into their glass jar. They may layer with different colors
as they go along filling to the top. Cover with clear wrap and you have
a beautiful gift for any occasion. They look very nice when lit at the
dinner table.

Comments: I was looking for something different
for Mothers Day and while I was shopping at Walmart saw these crystals in the
craft section. I thought lets try. My sons loved making their candles.
They loved the choice of being able to choose the colors. My youngest
son was very proud of himself and couldn't wait to show his grandmother.
The crystals were very reasonably priced and there is a lot of crystals
per bag. I tried this with my daycare children and they couldn't do enough.
"We want to make more!" It is a fun and easy craft and the wax crystals
were neat to touch.

Counting
Game: "Birthday Party Fun!"If you don't mind having candy at a birthday
party here's a game from Maree that can encourage older preschoolers
to count. Or you can substitute a non candy treat to eat. Check for chocolate
allergies.

Materials: One family block of chocolate,
one dice, plate and a firm plastic knife and fork.

Description: Children gather in a group, the
plate containing the chocolate, knife and fork is placed in the middle.
One at a time the children start rolling the dice when someone rolls a
'six' the child starts eating the chocolate using the cutlery. He keeps
eating the chocolate until another child rolls a six. Any number on the
dice can be used.Comments: A yummy way to learn about numbers.

Description: We do birthdays once every month
on the last thursday of the month. During circle time we talk about what
month it is and then each child tells us their birthday. If their
birthday is that month they get a picture / sticker of a cake. When everyone
is done, we talk about this month's birthday party.

Each month we have different things for our
party. We may make cookies, pudding, popcorn, applesauce and other things.
As the children begin to learn the month of their birthday, I ask them
to tell us the day/date. By the end of the year almost everyone knows
their birthday day by month-day-and year.

For children who have birthdays in the summer
or come to us after their birthday, we have a party for them in
June.

Comments: We also make hats with the birthday
kids and let them line up first, hold the door and things like that on their
day.

Birthday Celebrations For Everyone!Young children make birthday celebrations special
with this easy early childhood activity from Marilyn M.

Description: Each spring and fall we like
to have a special day when we celebrate everyone's birthday by decorating
cupcakes. We have a "table" made of tin foil for each child. On
it we put the pre baked cupcake, 1-2 tablespoons of frosting, and any
decorations they might like to use plus a utensil for spreading the frosting.
The children are thrilled to play "cook" and we help them put their creations
in ziplock bags to take home and eat for dessert later in the day.

Bulletin
Board: "Birthday Apple Tree"Display the children's birthdays and use this
tree by Annette C. to help them recognize their names and the letters
in their names. Encourage the early math skills of counting and one-to-one
correspondence also.

Description: Put the construction paper tree
up in a place where the children can see and reach it, and it is able
to stay up all year. Put all the apples on the tree. I also include
the teacher's birthday's.

As a child has a birthday, their apple "falls"
to the ground. More, less, & same can
be discussed as apples fall. Summer birthday children celebrate their
½ year birthday and move their apples on the day we celebrate.

Comments: The children look at the tree often,
counting the fallen apples and wonder whose will fall next.

Counting:
"Birthday Party"Julie F. reinforces counting and the
early math concepts of addition & subtraction during this early childhood
activity plan.

Materials: Set up a table as a birthday party,
with plates, bowls, cups, spoons, knifes etc., Use a party banner and birthday
cards etc. Be as imaginative as you like. You'll need some sweets of different
sorts and even biscuits if you like, whatever you think will be attractive to the
children.

Description: After you have set out your table,
which might be in the role play area, invite the children to a party.
this activity is meant to be an interactive role play experience that
incorporates the above objectives.

With support and guidance you can get the
children to share the sweets. Taking turns, youngsters count to see if
everyone has the same, how many children have more or, less. "What must
be done so that everyone has the same" etc. With support from the
adult, who is the model, youngsters will want to continue with the activity.I leave this counting Birthday Party activity
out so that children can come back to it and play with the counting focus
in mind.

Comments: Teachers can replace the sweets
with buttons, cubes, small building blocks etc., or food children have made out
of play dough. We made a birthday cake to go with the party. Try making
the cake out of clay and inserting some candle holders before the clay
dries. When dry, paint the cake so that it looks real.The children really enjoy this counting dramatic
play experience.

Counting:
"Milly Mouse's Birthday Party"Emma I. helps children develop an understanding
of early math subtraction with this preschool activity.

Materials: Copy of the rhyme 5 Big Balloons,
washing line and 5 balloons.

Description: When all the children are seated
on the carpet I tell the children that the class mascot (Milly Mouse in our case)
had a birthday party for her friend Maisy. I have already blown up the 5
balloons and pegged them on the washing line. I have also strewn a few colored
party streamers along the line for effect. The children are captivated by
this.

Milly has left quite a mess for us to clear
away. We begin by looking at the different colors and shapes of the balloons.
We then count them and I write the appropriate numeral on each. My classroom
assistant (the teacher could also lead this part if no support is available)
then tells us she knows a rhyme all about balloons and taking away. She
shows us the 'finger symbol' for taking away (point your finger horizontally
in front of your chest to make a minus sign).We then recite the rhyme which goes like this:

Comments: I used this activity during numeracy
Open Morning which was watched by 8 parents. It was fantastic and since
then several parents have used this activity or the rhyme at home to reinforce the learning.

Counting
and Number RecognitionPractice counting from 1 to 10 with this early
math activity from Marita P.

Description: Paint each styrofoam circle and
then poke wholes in them up to ten. Place a number in front of each foam birthday
cake. Ask children to put in the appropriate number to wish a pretend
person a birthday. You can sing Happy Birthday if you are doing it as a whole group.

Comments: Most kids love celebrating birthdays.

Starry
MeSuzanne contributes this kindergarten
& preschool activity saying that her objective is to, "Create awareness
of birth dates that can be encompassed with a space or Christmas theme."

Description: 1. Prepare a star template and photocopy onto
yellow cardboard if you don't wish the students to color
the star on both sides.

2. Cut out the star.

3. Give each child their birthday to copy
onto one side of the star. e.g.. September 26, 1998.4. On the other side, have them write their
name clearly and decorate it themselves.

5. When complete, punch a hole in the top
and hang from the ceiling with fishing line! * These looked lovely
hanging at Christmas time!Comments: I can't believe that something so
simple can mean so much as it did with my class. At the end of the
year, we even put them in the school's time capsule.

Birthday
Bulletin Board IdeaThis kindergarten birthday bulletin board by
Melynda is something for teachers to do before school starts.
Then each child can find their name and birthday.

Materials: For my classroom, I choose to cut
out a picture of a minnow fish because my group is called the minnows.
You will also needs markers and and a black pen and contact paper.

Description: Trace and cut out a fish that
closely resembles a minnow. Then write each child's name and birthday
in the center. With the markers, you can decorate the fish.
Then contact the paper fish and hang them on the wall. Hang them to look
like a school of fish. If you have access to a computer or print
shop program, you can print out any shape you want and use the computer
to decorate and write each child's name and birthday. The parents
and children get excited to see their own birthday sign on the wall.
Every child will know where their birthday sign is on the wall.

Take
Home Birthday BannerHere is an quick & easy idea from Diana
M.

Whenever it's a child's birthday we make a
birthday banner with large paper and have children decorate. On
it we print Happy Birthday along with a pattern of a cake and the
birthday child can take it home with them.

Birthday
BalloonTry this easy and inexpensive gift idea for
the Birthday child from Dee.

Materials: Balloons, sticks and birthday stickers.

Description: As an inexpensive birthday present
for children you can blow up a balloon and attach to a stick that you find
outside! Then decorate with special birthday stickers. Kids love
them!

Literacy: "A Birthday Story"P.S. offers this fun way to share a
child's birthday which is great for creative thinking

Materials: Pictures of child.

Description: Prior to a child's birthday,
send home a note requesting photos of the child as an infant, toddler, and preschooler.
On the day of his or her birthday celebration, display the photos in sequence,
Invite your class to use the photos to help create a story about the child.
Record the story on a sheet of paper and then send it home with the photos
for the child and his parents to enjoy. A priceless keepsake!

Craft: Birthday CelebrationsHelp celebrate a child's birthday with this
craft activity from Adrienne.

Description: Pre cut small circles from the
construction paper to fit the top of the cupcake paper. Or if the
children are over 3 years old have them do it themselves.Place a small wadded piece of tissue paper
and glue it to the inside of the cupcake paper. The tissue paper should
fill the cupcake holder to the top. Next, glue the paper circle to the
top of it. Now, spread glue over the top of the circle and add sprinkles.
Let dry and shake off the excess sprinkles.

Comments: This is a lot of fun. Some of the
kids took the cupcakes home and tricked there dads into thinking that
they were real cupcakes.

Craft: "Clifford Piñata"Inspired by the Clifford the Dog books and
children's interests Karen K. helps her class prepare a Clifford
Piñata for use on special occasions such as a Birthday Day or Clifford
Day. Children use fine motor skills during the creation of the piñata.

Description: Begin by blowing up a balloon
as big as possible and tie. Place the balloon in the sensory table for children to
access. Set out newspaper for the children to tear and dip into starch and cover
the balloon with at least one layer of newspaper. Now, cover with
red tissue paper! Hang or sit to dry for two days.

When dry add eyes, nose, mouth and floppy
ears. If you want to add goodies inside the piñata, cut as
small an opening off the top as possible, pop and remove the balloon and
tie a string on a popsicle or pencil and insert and adjust the stick horizontally.Finally, hang from the ceiling or outside on
a tree. Use a handkerchief for a blindfold and a foam coated bat
and let each child take a turn to whack. Enjoy!

Comments: Ideal project for small groups of
children. Saves time by using tissue paper for color instead of paint.
Handy to use starch instead of flour and water or wallpaper paste.

Circle
Time Teacher TipsGet children's attention and promote listening
skills with this circle time activity by Judy.

Description: The first thing I do when I get
children in a circle is, ask them to raise their hands, wiggle their fingers
and lower their hands down.I repeat this a few times until I get their
attention. Now they are ready to listen.I also do this when I find the children getting
a little unruly or bored.

Another trick is to ask them to fill their
mouths with air to make a big bubble. Tell them you want to see who has
the biggest bubble. Or just say, take a deep breath in and blow it out.
Pretend that you are blowing up a balloon and then it pops so you have
to start all over. Or pretend that you are putting out candles on yourbirthday cake.

Comments: This has worked like magic for me!
Besides being good breathing exercises, these also help calm children
and can get a noisy class to quiet down in an instant.